Magnetic tape cassette having improved dust proofing

ABSTRACT

A magnetic tape cassette, such as a high performance video cassette, having a greatly improved dust-proofing function. In a first embodiment, operating portions of brake members which engage a brake release lever which is inserted into the cassette at the time of recording or reproduction to release the braking system of the cassette are formed in an inverted cup shape so as to close the hole through which the brake release lever is inserted and to contain the end of the brake release lever when inserted into the hole. In a second embodiment, separate engagement and abutment portions are provided for each brake portion so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the hole if the tape reels are moved during storage. In a third embodiment, the dust-blocking member takes the form of a slitted flexible sheet member covering the hole when the cassette is not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cassette, and moreparticularly to a magnetic tape cassette of a type in which a loop ofthe magnetic tape is pulled out of the cassette for recording andplayback.

Recently, very high recording densities have been achieved with magnetictapes such as those used in VHS and B-type magnetic tape cassettes(video cassettes).

Generally, in such magnetic tape cassettes the magnetic tape is pulledout of an opening provided in the front of the cassette to effectrecording and playback. More specifically, such a cassette has a guardpanel angularly movable to open and close the opening. The guard panelcloses the opening when the cassette is stored or not in use to preventdust and the like from entering the cassette and also to protect thetape when the cassette is manually handled. At the time of recording andplayback, the guard panel is moved to expose the opening, and a tapepulling member provided in the recording/playback apparatus is moved tothe rear side (nonmagnetic side) of the tape to suitably pull themagnetic tape out of the cassette through the front opening.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) Utility ModelApplications Nos. 55-57184 and 58-141485, tape winding bodies aroundwhich a magnetic tape is wound have respective flanges each having atoothed outer periphery, and a reel brake is provided which engages thetoothed portions to prevent accidental angular movement of the tapewinding bodies during storage of the cassette to thereby eliminateloosening or jamming of the wound tape. The braking action of the reelbrake is released by a brake release lever insertable into the cassettethrough a hole formed in the bottom wall of the cassette.

Referring to the above reel brake in further detail, the most commontype includes a three-piece construction having engaging membersengageable with respective ones of the flanges of the tape windingbodies and one release member which divides the action of the brakerelease lever into two parts transmitted to the respective engagingmembers.

Also, there has been previously proposed a reel brake of a two-piececonstruction which can achieve similar braking effects. FIGS. 1 and 2are views explanatory of the above reel brake of the two-piececonstruction.

The reel brake 43 is in the form of an assembly composed of two brakemember 45 and 50 fitted on a brake support shaft 44 projecting from alower half case 3 of the cassette in such a manner that these brakemembers are pivotable about the brake support shaft. Engaging pawls 47and 52 as well as operating extensions 48 and 53 are integrally formedwith body portions 46 and 51, respectively, of the two brake membersthrough which the support shaft 44 extends. The engaging pawls extendtoward respective flanges 11a and 11b for engagement therewith, and theoperating extension extend toward a hole 8 in which a brake releaselever 30 is adapted to be inserted. The brake members 45 and 50 arenormally urged by a torsion spring 55 so that the engaging pawls 47 and50 are held in engagement with the corresponding flanges, with theoperating extensions 48 and 53 held against each other to close the hole8.

For releasing the braking, the brake release lever 30 is pressed againstthe operating extension 48 and 53 from below to space them apart inright and left directions (in directions indicated by arrows C in FIG.1), so that the brake members 45 and 50 are angularly moved to disengagethe engaging pawls 47 and 52 from gear portions 12a and 12b of theflanges 11a and 11b, respectively.

The operating extension 48 and 53 normally close the hole 8 andtherefore also perform a dust-proofing function to prevent dust and thelike from entering the cassette. To enhance the dust-proofing effect, itis preferred that the operating extensions 48 and 53 have respectiveplanar slide surfaces extending substantially along the bottom surfaceof the cassette. On the other hand, it is also preferred that at leastthat surface of each of the operating extensions 48 and 53 facing thecassette bottom surface be inclined in order to easily produce componentforces to push apart the operating extensions to the right and left whenthe operating extensions are pressed upon by the brake release lever 30.In general, the greater the angle of inclination the smaller theresistance to the insertion of the brake release lever becomes to enablea smooth brake sliding movement.

However, as is clear from the drawings, the greater angle of inclinationof the operating extensions 48 and 53, the poorer the dust-proofing as aresult of the presence of a gap between those portions facing the hole8.

Thus, the above reel brake construction has been found to be notentirely satisfactory in that it must perform two contradictoryfunctions, that is, the dust-proofing function and the brake slidingfunction.

On the other hand, as the demand for higher recording densities andhigher-quality magnetic tapes increases, it becomes ever more desirableto provide a reliable cassette construction. Moreover, in order tocompensate for dimensional inaccuracies in various members of therecording/playback device (e.g., dimensional inaccuracies of shaftssupporting the rotatable reels), the reels are allowed to slightly movealong the bottom surface of the cassette. Therefore, in the reel brake43 shown in FIG. 1, as is clear from the drawings, when the reels aremoved toward the hole to press against the engaging pawls 47 and 52,respectively, the body portions 47a and 52a are rotated so that a gap isformed between the operating extensions 48 and 53 which are disposed toclose the hole 8. This is also a problem from the viewpoint ofdust-proofing.

This problem is often encountered with conventional VHS-type cassettes.More specifically, the closure device for closing the hole (i.e., theoperating extensions in the above example) is not directly urged in itsclosing direction, for example, by a spring, but indirectly urged in adirection to close the hole by the brake members having the engagingpawls. Therefore, when the positions of the brake members are changed inaccordance with the movements of the reels, the above closure device isalso influenced by such position change, so that a gap is formed betweenthe closure device and the hole through which the insertion member is tobe passed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.

A specific object of the invention is thus to provide a magnetic tapecassette having a reduced number of parts and hence a low manufacturingcost and which is better capable of simultaneously attaining an improvedsliding ability of brake members and an improved dust-proofing effect,to thereby better meet high performance requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic tape cassettein which the hole formed in the bottom wall of the cassette iscompletely closed during storage to thereby achieve a high performanceof the cassette.

The above and other objects are achieved by a magnetic tape cassettehousing a pair of tape winding bodies around which a magnetic tape iswound, the magnetic tape being pulled exteriorly of the cassette so asto effect recording and playback, and including a reel brake forpreventing angular movement of the tape winding bodies in the form of anassembly of two brake members which includes respective engaging pawlsengageable with corresponding gear portions formed on the flanges of thetape winding bodies, and respective operating portions with which abrake release lever insertable into the cassette is adapted to bebrought into sliding contact so as to move the operating portions apartfrom each other to disengage the engaging pawls from the respective gearportions. The engaging pawls as well as the operating portions areformed on body portions of the two brake members, and the body portionsof the brake members are fitted on brake support shafts projecting fromthe bottom surface of the cassette so that the brake members areangularly movable. The operating portions have a shape capable ofsubstantially containing the brake release lever. Further, inner wallsurfaces of the operating portions are inclined toward their closedpositions in the direction of insertion of the brake release lever.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a magnetic tapecassette housing a pair of tape winding bodies around which a magnetictape is wound, the magnetic tape being pulled exteriorly of the cassetteso as to effect recording and playback, and which includes a reel brakefor preventing angular movement of the tape winding bodies having a pairof engaging pawls each pivotally supported at one end thereof and havinga free end urged in a direction to engage a gear portion formed on aflange of a respective one of the tape winding bodies, and a pair ofrotatable body portions each having an abutment portion and an operatingportion, both of which extend from the rotatable body portion radiallyof the body portion. The abutment portion is engageable with arespective one of the engaging pawls intermediate the length of theengaging pawl so as to move the engaging pawl out of engagement with thegear portion. A brake release insertion member is insertable into thecassette through a hole formed in a wall of the cassette so as to beengaged with each of the operating portions to move the abutmentportion. The rotatable body portions are urged in such directions as tohold the operating portions in contact with each other to close thehole. Each abutment portion urges a respective one of the engaging pawlsto move the same out of engagement with the mating gear portion when theoperating portions are moved away from each other, but the operatingportions are not moved by movement of the engaging pawls.

Further, in accordance with the present invention there is provided amagnetic tape cassette having a light-emitting source incorporated in aninsertion member serving to release a braking operation, so that thecassette can be used in a recording/playback device of the typeincorporating a tape detection means for detecting light from thelight-emitting source to detect tape ends (start end and terminal end).In the magnetic cassette of such a construction, another separate holeused for the tape detection means can be omitted, and therefore thedust-proofing effect is enhanced accordingly to provide a highlyreliable cassette.

The above objects have still further been achieved by a magnetic tapecassette housing a pair of tape winding bodies around which a magnetictape is wound, the cassette including a reel brake for preventingangular movement of the tape winding bodies. A hole is formed through awall of the cassette through which a brake release lever for releasingthe braking operation of the reel brake can pass. The hole is closed bya flexible dust-proofing member which is divided in such a manner as toallow the brake release lever to pass therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional reel and brake;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional reel brakeshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a magnetic tapecassette of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reel brake incorporated in themagnetic tape cassette of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of operating portions of thereel brake of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of modified operating portions;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reel brake ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the reel brake of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a reelbrake of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a brake member of the reel brake ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of amagnetic tape cassette of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a reel brake incorporated inthe magnetic tape cassette of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sheet-like dust-blocking member;

FIGS. 15 to 17 are cross-sectional views of important portions of thecassette showing the operation of the dust-blocking member;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a modified dust-blocking member;and

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another modified dust-blockingmember.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings willnow be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a magnetic tape cassette 1 embodying thepresent invention, showing a bottom view thereof. FIG. 4 is aperspective view of a reel brake 13 incorporated in the magnetic tapecassette 1 of FIG. 3. FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of thereel brake 13 illustrating the operation of those members.

The magnetic tape cassette 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes a cassette casecomposed of upper and lower half cases 2 and 3, the cassette caserotatably housing a pair of tape winding (reels) around which a magnetictape is wound. This magnetic tape cassette is similar generally inconstruction to a conventional video tape cassette such as a VHS-typecassette, but greatly differs therefrom in the reel brake construction.

The reel brake 13 shown in FIG. 4 is provided generally centrally of thecassette case and closer to the front side thereof. A brake releaselever 30 is introduced into the cassette case through a hole 8 (FIG. 3)formed through the lower half case 3, which is suitably operated torelease the engagement of the reel brake with gear portions 12a and 12bof lower reel flanges 11a and 11b.

The reel brake 13 is in the form of an assembly including first andsecond brake members 15 and 20 angularly movable about respective brakesupport shafts 14a and 14b which project from the lower half case 3 nearthe hole 8 and are spaced from each other in right and left directionswith respect to the cassette case. The two brake members 15 and 20include respective cylindrical body portions 16a and 16b through whichthe brake support shafts 14a and 14b, respectively, extend. The brakemembers also include respective engaging pawls 17a and 17b extendingfrom the body portions 16a and 16b toward the gear portions 12a and 12b,and respective operating portions 18a and 18b integrally formed ondistal ends of rods 19a and 19b extending from the body portions 16a and16b toward the hole 8. A leaf spring 25 urging the two brake members 15and 20 in their closed directions is engaged with the rods 19a and 19b.

With this arrangement, the engaging pawls 17a and 17b of the brakemembers 15 and 20 are normally held in engagement with the gear portions12a and 12b, respectively. Although not shown in the drawings, the leafsprings 25 are held in position by ribs or the like formed on the innersurface of the cassette.

When the engaging pawls 17a and 17b are held in engagement with the gearportions 12a and 12b, respectively, the two operating portions 18a and18b are held in contact with each other to close the hole 8.

The operating portions 18a and 18b, when engaged with each other toclose the hole 8, jointly assume the shape of an inverted cup, which isdimensioned to receive the distal end of the brake release lever 30 whenthe latter is inserted into the cassette.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the two operating portions 18a and 18b haverespective inner wall surfaces 21a and 21b which are inclined towardtheir closed positions in the direction of insertion of the brakerelease lever 30. Further, the peripheral edge of each operating portion18a, 18b defining the open end thereof is in uniform contact with thebottom surface of the cassette to completely prevent dust and the likefrom entering the cassette through the hole 8.

The shape of the engaging pawls 17a and 17b is not particularly limitedso long as they are of a shape capable of meshingly engaging therespective gear portions 12a and 12b.

For example, as shown in the drawings, the pawls can have a hook-likecross-section in a horizontal plane of the cassette and can be in theform of a plate having a width dimension in the direction of thethickness of the cassette. Also, the shape of the operating portions 18aand 18b is not particularly limited. For example, the operating portionscan be in the shape of an inverted truncated cone, as in theabove-described embodiment. Regardless of the shape of the operatingportions, the operating portions 18a and 18b can completely close thehole 8 and can substantially contain the brake release lever 30, withthe inner wall surface 21 inclined toward the closed position in thedirection of insertion of the brake release lever 30. The inclined innerwall surface is not limited to a rectilinear cross-section and can beconvexly or concavely curved in cross-section.

The recording/playback device into which the magnetic tape cassette 1 isto be loaded includes the brake release lever 30 mounted at a positioncorresponding to the hole 8.

When the magnetic tape cassette 1 is loaded into the recording/playbackdevice, a bucket holding the magnetic tape cassette 1 is moved, forexample, downward. Upon this movement, the brake release lever 30penetrates the cassette through the hole 8 as indicated by an arrow B inFIG. 5. At this time, the distal end of this lever is first brought intocontact with the inner wall surface 21, and then the lever 30 slidinglymoves along the inner wall surface 21 with a reduced resistance to theinsertion because of the inclination of the inner wall surface 21. Thus,the lever 30 urges the operating portions 18a and 18b apart against thebias of the leaf spring 25 in the directions indicated by arrows C inFIG. 6. As a result, the body portions l6a and l6b are angularly movedso that the two engaging pawls 17a and 17b are moved toward each otherin the directions indicated by arrows D in FIG. 4 to disengage from therespective gear portions 12a and 12b, thus releasing the engagementthereof with the gear portions 12a and 12b. As a result, the reelsaround which the magnetic tape is wound are made freely rotatable. Asthe bucket is moved downward, a guard panel 5 is angularly moved in itsopening direction, that is, in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 3,about pivot pins 10 connected to opposite end walls of the guard panel.At this time also, a tape pulling member is brought into mouth portions7a and 7b formed in the bottom of the cassette, and reel shafts areinserted into respective reel shaft holes 4 and 4 for rotationallydriving the reels.

In this embodiment, the brake release lever 3 is disposed closer to thefront side of the cassette, and therefore in addition to the function ofreleasing the locking operation of the reel brake 13, this lever canadditionally be used for detecting the tape ends. In such a case, themagnetic tape and leader tapes, which are connected to the opposite endsof the magnetic tape and which differ from the magnetic tape in lighttransmittance, are detected using light-detecting elements. Inaccordance with the detection signals so produced, the running of themagnetic tape can be suitably controlled as in the conventional system.For example, a light-emitting element can be mounted on the distal endof the brake release lever so as to emit light laterally of thecassette, and the light-detecting elements disposed exteriorly of thecassette detect the rays of light emitted from the light-emittingelement and passing through the path of travel of the tape.

The above-mentioned dual-purpose construction, having the reel brake andthe detection portions in combination, obviates the need to provide twoholes for receiving the brake release lever and a light-emitting source,as is the case with the conventional VHS cassette. This is desirablefrom the viewpoint of dust-proofing.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-describedembodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, stepped sections 18c may beformed on the mating edges of the operating portions 18a and 18b tofurther enhance the dust-proofing effect. Further, the present inventionis applicable to conventional VHS cassettes.

As described above, according to the present invention, the operatingportions with which the brake release lever for releasing the braking ofthe reels is adapted to be brought into contact have inclined surfaceswhich can easily produce component forces in the transverse direction ofthe cassette with respect to the point where the brake release leveracts. These operating portions also can completely close the hole intowhich the above lever is inserted. Therefore, the invention improves theoperability of the reel brake and the dust-proofing effect.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a magnetic tapecassette is provided having a reel brake 63, as shown in FIG. 8, mountedgenerally centrally of the cassette case and closer to the front sidethereof An insertion member 30 is introduced into the cassette casethrough the hole 8 formed in the lower half case 3 and suitably operatedto release the engagement of the reel brake with the gear portions 12aand 12b of the lower flanges 11a and 11b of the reels, as in theabove-described embodiments.

The reel brake 63 has first and second brake members 65 and 70 angularlymovable about a first support shaft 64 disposed near the hole 8 throughthe lower half case 3 and projecting at a midpoint between the tworeels, and engaging pawls 67a and 67b angularly movable respectivelyabout two second support shafts 69a and 69b disposed near the firstsupport shaft 64 symmetrically with respect thereto.

The two brake members 65 and 70 have respective rotatable cylindricalbody portions 66a and 66b through which the first support shaft 64extends, and the body portions have respective abutment portions 74a and74b extending radially from the body portions 66a and 66b, andrespective operating portions 68a and 68b extending therefrom toward thehole 8.

Each abutment portion 74a, 74b has a generally T-shaped portionextending from the body portion 66a, 66b, the T-shaped portion having adistal bar-like portion extending in the direction of thickness of thecassette.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first brake member 65 and the second brakemember 70 are mounted on the first support shaft 64 in the stated order,and a torsion spring 75 is mounted on either the body portion 66b of thesecond brake member 70 or the support shaft 64. The torsion spring 75 isarranged so that the opposite ends thereof are engaged with the upperportions of the bar-like parts of the abutment portions 74a and 74b.Under the bias of the torsion spring 75, the operating portions 78a and78b of the two brake members 65 and 70 are held in contact with eachother to close the hole 8. When the operating portions 78a and 78b arein the position to close the hole 8, it is preferred that the abutmentportions 74a and 74b not be engaged with the engaging pawls 67a and 67b.This arrangement ensures positive engagement of each of the engagingpawls 67a, 67b with the gear portion 12a, 12b, as will be more fullydescribed below.

The shape of the operating portions 78a and 78b is not particularlylimited. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each operating portionmay be in the form of a plate extending along the bottom surface of thecassette. Preferably, those surfaces of the operating portions facingthe bottom surface of the cassette are inclined so as to easily producecomponent forces to move the operating portions apart in right and leftdirections when the insertion member 30 is brought into engagement withthe operating portions

Each engaging pawls 67a, 67b has an arm 71a, 71b supported by the secondsupport shaft 79a, 79b and having a distal end engageable with the gearportion 12a, 12b. A torsion spring 72, 73 is engaged with the distal endof each arm to normally urge the engaging pawl 67a, 67b toward itsmating gear portion. The arm 71a, 71b of the engaging pawl 67a, 67b isurged only in one direction (i.e., from the side of the gear portion) bythe lower portion of the abutment portion 74a, 74b intermediate theopposite ends of the arm so that the distal end of the arm is disengagedfrom its mating gear portion 12a, 12b.

The shape of the distal end of the arm 71a, 71b is not particularlylimited so long as it can be meshingly engaged with the gear portion12a, 12b. For example, it can be in the form of a plate extending in thedirection of the thickness of the cassette.

In accordance with the present invention, the reel brake 13 is of adouble-brake construction, including the abutment portions 74a and 74bmovable in accordance with the movements of the operating portion 68aand 68b, respectively, and the engaging pawls 67a and 67b providedindependently of the abutment portions 74a and 74b. More specifically,the urging force produced by the movement of the operating portions 68aand 68b upon insertion of the insertion member 30 acts on the engagingpawls 67a and 67b through the abutment portions 74a and 74b to therebyrelease the braking operation. On the other hand, if the reels areaccidentally moved to the right or left with respect to the cassettecase such as during storage of the cassette, the engaging pawls 67a and67b, which are in locking engagement with the gear portions 12a and 12b,move in accordance with the movement of the respective reels. Themovements of the reels are transmitted to the engaging pawls 67a and 67bbut are not transmitted to the abutment portions 74a and 74b and theoperating portions 68a and 68b.

The recording/playback device into which the magnetic tape cassette 1 isto be loaded has the rod-like insertion member 30 at a positioncorresponding to the hole 8 of the magnetic tape cassette 1. Theinsertion member 30 has a light-emitting source, for example, alight-emitting diode, incorporated in the portion thereof which isinserted into the cassette, the light-emitting source emitting light ina horizontal plane in generally right and left directions with respectto the cassette. The distal end of the insertion member is generallypointed.

When the magnetic tape cassette 1 is loaded into the recording/playbackdevice, a bucket holding the magnetic tape cassette is moved, forexample, downward. Upon this movement, the insertion member 30penetrates the cassette through the hole 8, as indicated by an arrow Bin FIG. 8. At this time, the pointed end of the insertion member 30first begins to urge the operating portions 68a and 68b apart indirections of arrows C, and a further movement of the insertion membercauses the operating portions 68a and 678b to move away from each otheragainst the bias of the torsion spring 75 by a distance corresponding tothe diameter of the insertion member 30. Therefore, the body portions66a and 66b of the two brake members 65 and 70 are rotated relative toeach other in directions of arrows D so that the two abutment portions74a and 74b urge the central portions of the engaging pawls 67a and 67b,respectively, so as to disengage the distal ends of the engaging pawlsfrom the gear portions 12a and 12b, respectively. As a result, theengagement of the reels around which the magnetic tape is wound with thereel brake 63 is released and the reels are free to rotate.

When the reels are moved in directions away from the engaging pawls 67aand 67b, the engaging pawls 67a and 67b can move in accordance with themovements of the respective reels if the abutment portions 74a and 74bare spaced a suitable distance from the respective arms 71a and 71b,that is, held out of contact therewith. This ensures positive locking ofthe reels. As in the previously described embodiments, a light sourcecan be provided in the insertion member together with appropriatelypositioned light-detecting elements to detect the ends of the magnetictape.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a reel brake of the invention.

Those parts identical to those employed in the previously describedembodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a furtherdetailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

This reel brake 93 in this embodiment has first and second brake members92 and 94 angularly movable about a support shaft 91 projecting from thelower half case 3. The two brake members 92 and 94 are composed ofrespective rotatable cylindrical body portions 95a and 95b through whichthe support shaft 91 extends (see FIG. 11). The brake members alsoinclude respective engaging pawls 96a and 96b extending from respectivebody portions 95a and 95b toward the gear portions 12a and 12b,respectively, and operating portions extending from respective bodyportions toward the hole 8.

In this embodiment, unlike the reel brake 63 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, theengaging pawls 96a and 96b are formed on the body portions 95a and 95b,respectively.

Referring to the brake member 92 in further detail with reference toFIG. 11, an arm 97a of the engaging pawl 95a extending from the bodyportion 95a is reduced in thickness at a proximal portion thereof toprovide a hinge portion so as to allow the arm 97a to be angularlymovable in right and left directions with respect to the cassette.

However, the engaging pawls 96a can be moved only in one direction(i.e., in the direction of an arrow D) in accordance with the movementof the operating portion 68b due to the provision of an abutment supportportion 98a fixedly formed on the body portion 95a adjacent the engagingpawl 96a. More specifically, the abutment portion 98a is disposed so asto engage the arm 97a at a point intermediate the above thinned portionand the distal end of the arm 97a to thereby urge the arm away from thegear portion 12a when the engaging pawl 96a is disengaged from the gearportion 12a.

The second brake member 94 is of a similar construction.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the engaging pawls 96a and 96b are supportedby the support shaft 91 and are normally urged toward their mating gearportions by a torsion spring 100 having opposite ends engaged withspring retainers 99a and 99b formed on the respective engaging pawls 96aand 96b. Therefore, under the bias of the torsion spring 100, theengaging pawl 96a of the first brake member 92 is engaged with the gearportion 12a while the engaging pawl 96b of the second brake member 94 isengaged with the gear portion 12b. Thus, the operating portions 98a and98b are held in contact with each other to close the hole 8.

Therefore, when the body portions 95a and 95b are rotated upon insertionof the insertion member 30, the abutment portion 98, which serves toprevent the folding of the engaging pawl 96, is brought into abutmentwith the arm 97 of the engaging pawl 96 so that the engaging pawl 96 issuitably disengaged from the gear portion 12.

Even if the reels are radially displaced by a distance corresponding tothe amount of allowable play thereof to urge the engaging pawl 96a and96b in such a manner as to cause rotation of their respective bodyportions 95a and 95b in directions so as to move the operating portions98a and 98b away from each other, the body portions 45a and 45b will notbe rotated because the engaging pawls 96a and 96b are folded at theirproximal portions to be angularly moved. Therefore, the operatingportions 98a and 98b remain stationary and hence do not open the hole 8.

Also, if the reels are displaced in directions away from the hole 8, theoperating portions 68a and 68b will not be moved at all and will notopen the hole 8 since the engaging pawls 96a and 96b are urged intonormal engagement with the gear portions 12a and 12b so that they canmove in accordance with the movements of the reels independently oftheir respective body portions 95a and 95b.

As described above, according to this embodiment of the presentinvention, the reel brake is of a double-action construction such thatthe brake members, which are operable upon insertion of the brakerelease insertion member, and the angularly movable engaging pawls,which are engageable with the gear portions of the reels, are movedtogether in the brake releasing directions when the brake members aremoved to release the braking. Other than such times, the brake membersand the engaging pawls are not moved together. Therefore, should theengaging pawls be moved in accordance with accidental movements of thereels, the movement of the engaging pawls is not transmitted to theoperating portions. Therefore the operating portions will not bedisplaced if the reels are jostled, and therefore the operating portionsare positively cassette.,

Particularly, the incorporation of the tape detection arrangement intothe brake release insertion member enables a smaller number of holes inthe cassette as compared with an arrangement havign a separate tapedetection device. This enhances the dust-proofing effect accordingly,thereby providing a highly reliable cassette.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a magnetic tape cassette 1 constructedin accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention,showing a bottom side thereof. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective viewof a reel brake 43 incorporated in the magnetic tape cassette 1 of FIG.12. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sheet-like dust-blocking member119 constituting a specific feature of this embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 15 to 17 are cross-sectional views of importantportions of the cassette illustrating the operation of the reel brake 43and the dust-blocking member 119.

The magnetic tape cassette 1 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is of the sameconstruction as the cassette shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except for theprovision in the instant embodiment of the dust-blocking member 119 inthe hole 8.

The closed condition of the hole 8 is always maintained by thedust-blocking member even when the reels are moved toward each other andtoward the hole 8 to urge the respective engaging pawls 47 and 52engaged therewith to rotate the body portions 46 and 51 so that theoperating extensions 48 and 53 are moved away from each other to form agap therebetween to slightly open the hole.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the hole 8 for the passage ofthe brake release lever 30 therethrough is formed in a slightly-recessedor stepped portion 131 of the bottom surface of the lower half case 3internally of the cassette so that the peripheral marginal portionaround the hole 8 is recessed. The dust-blocking member 119, which isflexible and has slits, is fitted in and bonded to the stepped portion131.

When the dust-blocking member 119 is mounted in position, the innerbottom surface of the cassette becomes planar.

The peripheral edge portion 119a of the dust-blocking member 119 ismated with and bonded to the stepped portion 131 to fixedly secure thedust-blocking member to the lower half case 3. The dust-blocking member119 is of a substantially disc-shape having slits extending to thecenter thereof so that a plurality of (four) angularly-movable sections119b are provided.

The dust-blocking member 119 can be made, for example, of a materialhaving a low coefficient of friction, such as polyethyleneterephthalate, so that the dust-blocking member will not retard thepassage of the brake release lever therethrough. FIG. 15 shows thecondition in which the cassette is stored. In this condition, theoperating extensions 48 and 53 of the reel brake 43 are held in contactwith each other, and the dust-blocking member 119 closes the hole 8.

FIG. 16 shows the condition in which the reels are moved during theabove-mentioned storage of the cassette to form a gap between theoperating extensions 48 and 53. In this case, however, the hole 8 iskept closed by the dust-blocking member 119, thereby maintaining theclosed condition.

FIG. 17 shows the condition in which the brake release lever 30 beginsto penetrate the cassette from below. At this time, this lever is firstbrought into engagement with the angularly movable sections 119b to urgethem apart. Then, the brake release lever 30 is further moved intoengagement with the operating extension 48 and 53 to urge them apart inright and left directions (the directions of arrows C) as mentionedabove, thereby releasing the braking operation.

When the brake release lever 30 is retracted from the cassette, theoperating extensions 48 and 53 with which the brake release lever 30 isheld in sliding contact are returned to their respective closedpositions under the bias of the torsion spring 55, and the dust-blockingmember 19 is returned to its closed condition because of its elasticproperties.

It is preferred that at least those surfaces of the operating extensions48 and 53 facing the bottom surface of the cassette be inclined, asshown in the drawings, so as to easily produce component forces to movethe operating extension 48 and 53 in right and left directions uponpressing engagement of the brake release lever 30 therewith. In theconventional construction, as described above, the hole can be openedwhen the reels are moved during storage. With this embodiment of thepresent invention, however, by virtue of the provision of thedust-blocking member 119, such opening of the hole can be suitablyprevented to maintain complete closure of the hole, thereby preventingdust and the like from entering the cassette through the hole 8.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show modified examples of the dust-blocking member 119.

More specifically, the dust-blocking member 150 shown in FIG. 18 has arib 151 at the angularly movable proximal portion thereof in order toprevent fatigue due to repeated angular movements of the dust-blockingmember 150. A recess is formed in the face of the dust-blocking memberopposite to the face on which the rib 151 is formed, to thereby providea hinged portion resistant to fatigue. The dust-blocking member 160 ofFIG. 19 is secured to the cassette by pressing deformation instead ofusing an adhesive, a double-sided adhesive tape, or the like. Morespecifically, deformable lugs 132 are formed on the stepped portion 131around the hole formed through the dust-blocking member 160 at portionsthereof corresponding to the lugs. The lugs 132 are passed through therespective ones of the apertures 161, and then deformed by pressing tofixedly secure the dust-blocking member 160 to the cassette.

In the above embodiments, although the slits are provided in thedust-blocking member to divide it into four sections, the invention isnot restricted to such constructions. The number of the slits can besuitably changed. Also, it is not always necessary for the dust-blockingmember to have a one-piece construction. For example, it may be composedof a plurality of sheets stacked one upon another to enhance thedust-blocking effect.

The present invention is not restricted to the above embodiments and isextensively applicable to any type of magnetic tape cassette having theabove-mentioned hole 8.

As described above, according to the present invention, the hole for thepassage of the brake release lever is closed by the flexibledust-blocking member which allows the brake release lever to passtherethrough. Therefore, the dust-blocking effect in not reduced by thereel brake, no matter what its construction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic tape cassette housing a pair of tapewinding bodies around which a magnetic tape is wound, the magnetic tapebeing pulled exteriorly of the cassette for recording and playback,comprising: a reel- brake for preventing angular movement of said tapewinding bodies comprising two brake members each of which comprises anengaging pawl engageable with a gear portion formed on a flange of arespective one of said tape winding bodies, and an operating portionwith which a brake release lever insertable into said cassette is insliding contact so as to move said operating portions apart from eachother to disengage said engaging pawls from the respective gearportions, said engaging pawls and said operating portions being formedon body portions of said two brake members, said body portions of saidbrake members being fitted on respective brake support shafts projectingfrom a bottom surface of said cassette and being angularly movablethereon, said operating portions having a shape capable of substantiallycontaining an end portion of said brake release lever, and inner wallsurfaces of said operating portions being inclined toward closedpositions thereof in the direction of insertion of said brake releaselever.
 2. The magnetic tape cassette of claim 1, further comprising aleaf spring for urging said brake members toward said closed positions.3. The magnetic tape cassette of claim 2, further comprising a pair ofdistal rods for joining said operating portions with their respectivebody portions, said leaf spring being engaged with said distal rods. 4.The magnetic tape cassette of claim 1, wherein said operating portionswhen in said closed positions jointly having an inverted cup shape.